The Timothy Harris Administration has signed another visa waiver agreement. This time the Federation signed the agreement with the Russian Federation which will allow citizens of both countries to travel for up to ninety (90) days in each other’s countries without the need for a visa. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Mark Brantley, signed on behalf of Saint Kitts.

The Citizenship by Investment Unit has announced a fifty percent cut in the requirement for its program so as to create a hurricane relief fund. Such has drawn widespread condemnation and has been described as shameful. It is believed that this is an opportunistic move to improve the competitiveness of the programme at the expense of its regional neighours, especially at a time when some have been affected by natural disasters.

Many reports have been made of looting in Dominica following the passage of Hurricane Maria and this is of concern to the OECS Bar Association. President of the Association, Thaddeus Antoine says that the association had started a storm fund to aid the member countries affected by Hurricane Irma, but now that fund will be extended to include Dominica. The 14th Annual OECS Bar Association Regional Law Conference which was being held in Dominica was brought to a halt due to the arrival of Hurricane Maria.

During his speech at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Skerrit, pleaded with member nations to come together to save the planet. He says that the islands of the Caribbean are fighting a war which is not of their making. Climate change is for real and cannot be denied because his country just witnessed such. He is therefore calling on the larger nations to take actions, because while they talk, the small ones suffer.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mark Brantley, is lending support to his fellow OECS compatriots on the issue of climate change and the devastation taking place in the Caribbean. The Minister says that in light of the recent disasters which hit the Caribbean, climate change is not only real but also poses existing threat to our people, our countries and our civilization. He noted that although the Small Islands Developing States ate not major emitters of greenhouse gases, they are the ones to suffer the consequences of others’ actions.

Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria, the European Union is providing 250 000 euros in emergency humanitarian aid to Dominica. An EU humanitarian expert in rapid response is already on island and additional technical assistance is scheduled to reach the island soon. The European Union has assisted Dominica in the past, particularly with the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015.

Following yesterday’s election in Germany, voters have given Angela Merkel a fourth term as German Chancellor. Exit polls had already predicted a win for the hard-right alternative. The results leave Merkel with few options for a coalition since the SPD has refused to rejoin government and no party is willing to work with the AFD.